Description

The patent system is introduced to the non-legal professional by reviewing the historical justification for having a patent system and the foundations of the U.S. patent system, contrasting patents with trade secrets, exploring invention requirements for obtaining a patent, and reviewing the patent application process, international patent protection, and the elements of infringement, validity, and enforcement through litigation.

Learning objective:

To introduce the manager, engineer, and non-legal professional to the basics of the patent system. In an innovation-driven economy, the patent system plays a fundamental role in the wealth creation process. While many countries have legally distinct patent systems in place and even share common rules, this note focuses largely on the U.S. patent system, using language appropriate for the non-legal professional.